United Nations call for transparency in Myanmar constitution referendum

April 3, 2008 (AP)- A draft Security Council statement calls on Myanmar's government to allow detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyiand other political actors to speak freely and hold meetings ahead of the May referendum on a new constitution, according to a copy obtained Wednesday.

The statement prepared by the United States, Britain and France, was obtained by The Associated Press on the day that Suu Kyi's party urged voters to reject the military-backed draft constitution. The National League for Democracy said it was undemocratic and prepared under the junta's direct control.

The statement is expected to be circulated to all 15 Security Council members in the coming days. It needs the approval of all members for the council to adopt it.

The draft statement "calls on the government of Myanmar to allow full participation of all political actors, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi" in the referendum process in order for it "to be inclusive and credible."

"The Security Council further notes the commitment by the government of Myanmar to ensure that the referendum will be free and fair and that all will be allowed to participate on equal terms," the draft statement says.

The council "stresses that this commitment must be followed by action, including the guarantee of freedoms of expression, association and assembly in the political process leading to the referendum, as well as independent monitoring of the referendum," according to the draft statement.

Myanmar has been ruled by the military since 1962. The current junta seized power in 1988 and refused to honour the results of a 1990 general election won by Suu Kyi's party. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is currently under house arrest, has been in detention without trial for more than 12 of the past 18 years.

Critics of the proposed constitution say it aims to perpetuate military rule.

During a visit to Myanmar last month, U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari was rebuffed when he proposed a a U.N. role in the May referendum and when he suggested that the military junta amend its seven-point roadmap to democracy to include input from the country's pro-democracy movement and other political parties. The referendum is to be followed by a general election in2010.

The junta has been under strong international pressure to make democratic reforms, especially since it quashed peaceful pro-democracy protests last September. The U.N. estimates at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained in the crackdown.

The draft Security Council statement expresses regret at the military government's "slow rate of progress" towards meeting the council's call last September for a "genuine dialogue" with the pro-democracy opposition and the early release of all political prisoners and detainees.

It "again stresses the need for the government of Myanmar to take, in a timely manner, concrete, meaningful steps that result in genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations."

The draft statement affirms the Security Council's commitment to Myanmar's territorial integrity, "and, in that context, to helping the government and people of Myanmar to bring an early end to military rule and begin a transition to democracy."

It reaffirms the council's support for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's "good offices" mission, expresses appreciation for Gambari's work, and reiterates "that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of its people."